Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral opens in Bahrain - in pictures

  • The streets outside Our Lady of Arabia cathedral are festooned with the Bahraini and Papal flags. John Dennehy / The National
    The streets outside Our Lady of Arabia cathedral are festooned with the Bahraini and Papal flags. John Dennehy / The National
  • The cathedral can seat more then 2,000 worshippers. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    The cathedral can seat more then 2,000 worshippers. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • Inside the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
    Inside the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
  • Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, south of the Bahraini capital, Manama. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, south of the Bahraini capital, Manama. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • Photographs show the construction of the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
    Photographs show the construction of the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
  • Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, granted the 9,000 square metre plot of land eight years ago. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, granted the 9,000 square metre plot of land eight years ago. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • The church resembles a tent in which the Prophet Moses met his people, as described in the Old Testament. John Dennehy / The National
    The church resembles a tent in which the Prophet Moses met his people, as described in the Old Testament. John Dennehy / The National
  • A band gets ready for the service. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    A band gets ready for the service. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • A choir sings at the opening of the cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    A choir sings at the opening of the cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • Light floods the cathedral from different angles. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    Light floods the cathedral from different angles. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • Bahrain has long allowed faiths other than Islam the freedom to worship in peace. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    Bahrain has long allowed faiths other than Islam the freedom to worship in peace. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • Inside the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    Inside the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • The cathedral is located close to an oil field. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    The cathedral is located close to an oil field. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • The grey walls are made with pietra serena stone that is only produced in Florence. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple
    The grey walls are made with pietra serena stone that is only produced in Florence. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple
  • Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, centre, presents a replica of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral to Sheikh Abdullah. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
    Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, centre, presents a replica of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral to Sheikh Abdullah. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
  • Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National
    Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National